Our Impact

We can demonstrate our impact and evidence the difference we make in the lives of young people. Each year we carry out a survey with young people, their families and the wider local community, here are some of the Highlights from our most recent survey:

Open access to the youth cafe has reduced loneliness and isolation lead to an improved sense of community

• Over 63% of young people come to Thirst ‘to meet and make friends’

• 51% come because it’s ‘welcoming & friendly’

• 85% ‘feel with friends’ at Thirst

We know that we help increase self-confidence and self-esteem by providing safe spaces and opportunities such as our youth volunteer programme.

• 88% of young people tell us they feel ‘confident’, ‘included’ and ‘heard’

And we are proud to improve happiness, wellbeing and mental health by providing fun activities in a safe, stimulating environment, with professional support as required. 

• 95% of young people feel ‘happy’, ‘safe’, ‘relaxed’ at Thirst

• 88% of young people tell us they feel ‘confident’, ‘included’ and ‘heard’

Young people and their families have told us that we have helped improve life and social skills and develop potential through fun activities, positive relationships, mentoring and training. 

• 60% of parents / carers in our 2022 survey said their young person ‘has learnt new skills

• 70% of parents/carers agree their young person is ‘happier’

We have helped increase independence as young people transition to adulthood

• 80% of parents/carers agree ‘my young person has become more independent’

• 50% of young people told us that they would ‘stay at home’ if they didn’t come to Thirst. 

• 27% would ‘walk around town’ - “I don’t have anywhere else to go”

• 97% of young people agree Thirst is ‘a safe place for young people in Bishops Stortford’

We are proud to make a difference to the lives of local young people and to support our work please click here to DONATE